Multiple Reliquaries – Lignum Crucis – Apostles And Church Fathers – Italy, Late 17th Century

Antique reliquary with multiple relics – Lignum Crucis – Apostles and Church Fathers - Italy, late 17th – early 18th century

Oval reliquary in gilt metal, with openwork decoration and suspension loop, containing a remarkable set of multiple relics arranged in theological radiance, on a red textile background, with handwritten labels in brown ink and painted and gilt frames.

Description

Relics – identification (direct reading of inscriptions)

Central relic • Lignum S. Crucis DN Iesu Christi (Fragment of the True Cross, inscription conforms)

Apostles • St. Peter • St. Paul • St. Andrew • St. Jacob • St. Bartholomew • St. Matthew • St. Simon • St. Thaddaeus Church

Fathers and major figures • St. Augustine • St. Ambrosius • St. Hieronymus • St. Gregorius (complete patristic group, typical of Roman scholarly mounts)

Founders and major saints • St. Benedictus • St. Bernard (of Clairvaux) • St. Francis (of Assisi) • St. Ignatius (probably Ignatius of Antioch)

Reverse

The reverse is decorated with an ancient devotional painting under beveled glass, representing St. Francis of Assisi, recognizable by his habit Franciscan, the rope, and the mystical attitude.
This type of painted reverse is characteristic of Italian reliquaries intended for cultivated private devotion.

Dimensions: 8.5 cm x 6.5 cm.

Condition:

Relics in place, undisturbed - Antique gilding with natural wear - Antique beveled glass with micro-scratches.
Antique, unopened mount.

In accordance with canon law (can. 1190 §1), this sale concerns only the reliquary as a sacred work of art.
The relics it contains are not the object of the transaction but are included free of charge for their historical and cultural value.

Please feel free to contact me for any further information or requests for additional photos of the items offered for sale.